A fine copy of the second and last edition of one of the most attractive English entomological works on exotic insects, with superb hand-colouring of the plates. The first edition appeared from 1770-1782. Dru Drury (1725-1803) was the son of a silversmith. "By virtue of his marriage and inheritance of the family business he was a reasonably wealthy man who could afford to support his most serious hobby entomology. Drury's collection had great fame during his life time. He spent much time and money persuading others to collect specimens for him from foreign countries. He had a wide correspondence with entomologists around the world. Linnaeus (1707-1778) and Willliam Kirby (1759-1850) both named species after him" (Harvey, Gilbert & Martin, A catalogue of manuscripts in the Entomological library... 119). The majority of the fine plates were drawn and engraved by Moses Harris. Provenance: 'William G. Bowditch from his friend Mrs Wigglesworth' on inside frontcover and a few more lines by the same person on free endpaper 'that the study of nature may lead directly, to the knowledge, and love, of our kind, Heavenly Father'. Nissen ZBI, 1160; Horn & Schenkling 23891.